Get ready to celebrate—there’s a new addition to the Downton Abbey family, and it’s not just another aristocratic drama! Elizabeth McGovern, the beloved actress behind Lady Grantham, has officially become a grandmother, and the joy is palpable. But here’s where it gets heartwarming: her daughter, Grace, 27, welcomed a baby boy named Jesse Keelin, prompting Elizabeth to gush, 'I'm a Granny! Handsome, smart Jesse Keelin.' Grace, a primary school teacher in London, is one of Elizabeth’s two daughters, whom she shares with her husband, film and theatre director Simon Curtis. The couple, who tied the knot in 1992, moved permanently to the UK, where they raised their family in Chiswick, London. While Elizabeth’s daughters, Matilda and Grace, are largely kept out of the spotlight, Matilda has occasionally joined her famous parents at high-profile events, including awards ceremonies.
And this is the part most people miss: family milestones like these remind us that even the stars of our favorite period dramas lead rich, multifaceted lives beyond the screen. Speaking of Downton Abbey joy, this news comes just weeks after fellow cast members Laura Carmichael and Michael C. Fox revealed they’d secretly tied the knot. During NBC’s Downton Abbey Celebrates The Grand Finale, Michael reflected, 'I owe a lot to this show. So much of my life has been shaped around it.' Co-star Lesley Nicol playfully asked the couple, 'What if someone said you’re actually going to find your wife and have a child? Life-changing stuff,' to which Michael replied, 'I know. It’s incredible.' The pair, who met while filming season five, have always kept their relationship private, even welcoming their son, Luca, in March 2021, away from the public eye.
But here’s the controversial question: as fans, do we have the right to know every detail of these actors’ personal lives, or should we respect their boundaries? While we celebrate their happiness, it’s worth considering how much privacy celebrities—even those in beloved shows like Downton Abbey—deserve. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
